Governor Warner Announces Return of NHRA Drag Racing Series to Virginia
Governor Warner Announces Return of NHRA Drag Racing Series to Virginia
50 to 60 thousand fans will bring economic impact of up to $30 million
Governor Mark R. Warner today announced that North America's premier drag racing series will return to Virginia, bringing an annual economic impact of up to $30 million, and attracting 50 to 60,000 fans. The National Hot Rod Association's POWERade Drag Racing series will return to the Virginia Motorsports Park in October 2006, after a six-year hiatus from the Commonwealth.
"Two years ago, we rolled out the Virginia Motorsports Initiative to grow our racing industry and its economic impact on the Commonwealth," said Governor Warner. "Returning the top drag racers to Virginia is one more way to make the Commonwealth a regular destination for race fans from all over. We're proud to work with the NHRA again, and bring more fans to Virginia Motorsports Park."
The facility, which played host to NHRA national events from 1995 through 2000, will rejoin the NHRA member track network and with it, feature an NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series event. Virginia Motorsports Park will welcome NHRA stars such as Top Fuel dragster drivers Tony Schumacher, Doug Herbert and Brandon Bernstein, Funny Car racers John Force, Gary Scelzi and Ron Capps, and Pro Stock drivers Greg Anderson, Mark Pawuk and others October 6-8, 2006.
"We are very excited to return to the NHRA family and bring back to the state of Virginia the major leagues of drag racing," said Bryan Pierce, general manager at Virginia Motorsports Park. "The NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series is synonymous with the biggest stars in the sport of drag racing and we are thrilled to bring back these great drivers and the great tradition of NHRA Drag Racing to our loyal fan base."
With 80,000 members and 35,000 licensed competitors, the NHRA is the world's largest auto racing organization. It was founded in 1951 to move racing to "get hot rodders off the streets" and onto legal and safer drag strips.
"The visibility NHRA provides to Dinwiddie County through national TV exposure and positive economic impact to the county from the tremendous number of drag race fans, bodes well for our citizens," said Harrison Moody, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of Dinwiddie County.
"Dinwiddie County's hotels, campgrounds, restaurants, and race fans are sure to be thrilled by the return of NHRA racing next year," said Greg Horwedel, County Administrator of Dinwiddie County. "We look forward to working with Virginia Motorsports Park to make next year's race successful."
As an NHRA member track, VMP will provide an ongoing benefit: a first-class venue for NHRA racers throughout the Southeast with the opportunity to race on a weekly basis through a variety of racing programs offered by NHRA including: the NHRA O'Reilly Junior Drag Racing League; NHRA Summit Racing Equipment ET Racing Series; and the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event. In addition to the fall NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series event, the track will feature a spring race as part of the NHRA Sony Xplod Sport Compact Racing Series.
"Although we look forward to hosting the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series in October, NHRA provides a number of programs on a weekly basis that will afford the NHRA racing community many racing opportunities throughout the year," said Pierce.
The press conference, which took place at the starting line at Virginia Motorsports Park was attended by Governor Mark Warner, NHRA President Tom Compton, and other dignitaries.
Tickets for the return of the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series event to Virginia Motorsports Park go on sale November 1, 2005.
Built in 1994, Virginia Motorsports Park is a multi-million dollar facility that includes a Drag Strip, Motocross facility, and Mud Bog arena on 500 plus acres. Virginia Motorsports Park hosts and operates events every weekend, March thru November, that range in scope and size from street cars racing every Friday night to the NHRA POWERade Series national event. Virginia Motorsports Park is conveniently located along the I-95 eastern corridor.
With more than 36 tracks - ranging from paved NASCAR to drag strips, motocross, and ATV tracks - Virginia's racing venues make the industry a huge tourist draw. Richmond, Martinsville, and nearby Bristol host a total of six NASCAR series events.
http://www.governor.virginia.gov/Press_Policy/Releases/2005/Aug05/0804.htm